Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Bulldogs players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of Geno Crandall (29 points), Nigel Williams-Goss (9 points), and Khalif Battle (16 points).
#1. Geno Crandall, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Gonzaga in 2019, has been making waves in the Portuguese Liga Betclic Masculina as a key player for Benfica. Recently, he led his team to a significant victory over Oliveirense, the fifth-ranked team in the league, with a score of 86-78. In this game, he showcased his talent by scoring an impressive 29 points, along with 3 assists and 7 steals in just 30 minutes of play, earning him the title of MVP. Sport Lisboa Benfica, currently holding the top spot in the league with a record of 20-2, has been on a winning streak, securing their fifth consecutive victory. Crandall's exceptional performance against Oliveirense not only solidified his team's position at the top but also highlighted his skills on the court. Throughout the season, Crandall has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists (ranking third in the league), and 2.6 steals (leading the league) per game in the 25 games he has played so far. His consistent contributions and leadership have been instrumental in Benfica's success, making him a standout player in the league.
#2. Nigel Williams-Goss, a 6'3'' guard and 31-year-old Bulldogs alumnus from 2017, who received the All-WCC All-Tournament MVP award that year, currently plays professionally in Lithuania. In a recent game, he played a key role in his team's dominant 90-75 victory over Jonava, one of the league's weaker teams with a record of 9-23. Williams-Goss showcased his skills by scoring 9 points and providing 3 assists in just 16 minutes of play. Zalgiris Kaunas, his team, sits comfortably at the top of the standings with an impressive record of 31-1. The win against Jonava marked their 27th consecutive victory, highlighting their dominance in the league. This season marks Williams-Goss' debut with the team, and his performance against Jonava was crucial in securing the champion title for his team in that game. Throughout the season, Williams-Goss has been a consistent performer, averaging 5.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists (ranking him third best in the league), and 1.1 steals per game across 19 appearances. His well-rounded contributions on the court make him a valuable asset to his team as they strive for success in the league.
#3. Khalif Battle, a 6'5'' guard who is 25 years old and a Gonzaga graduate from the class of 2025, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Italy. After helping Gonzaga to win the WCC Tournament in 2025, he took his talents to Italy where he currently plays for Dolomiti Energia Trentino. In a recent game against the league-leading Virtus Bologna, Battle showcased his skills by leading his team to an impressive 102-85 victory. In this game, Battle displayed his scoring prowess by putting up 16 points while also contributing 4 assists, making all 8 of his free throw attempts in just 27 minutes of play. This remarkable performance is even more noteworthy considering that Battle is only in his first season of professional basketball. Dolomiti Energia Trentino, currently ninth in the league with a record of 12-16, greatly benefited from Battle's all-around contribution on the court. Throughout the season, Battle has maintained solid statistics with an average of 12.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game over 27 appearances. His consistent performance and leadership qualities have undoubtedly positioned him as a true champion and finalist, not only in this particular game against Virtus Bologna but also in the broader context of his professional basketball career.
#4. Champion Chet Holmgren, a 7'1'' forward/center and Bulldogs alumnus from the class of 2022, was recognized as a Jersey Mike's Naismith High School Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist during his time in school. Currently playing professionally in the NBA, he recently led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a resounding victory over the San Antonio Spurs with a score of 127-114 on Tuesday night. In the game, Holmgren showcased his skills by recording a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds in just 30 minutes of play. Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder's somewhat lackluster 64-18 record this season, Holmgren's stellar performance on the court against the San Antonio Spurs highlighted his prowess as a true champion. His exceptional showing not only included scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds but also contributing 1 assist, ultimately playing a pivotal role in his team's triumph. In recognition of his outstanding performance, Holmgren was awarded the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a champion. Individually, Holmgren has had an impressive year with standout statistics, averaging 16.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game (ranking fourth best in the league) over the course of 83 games.
#5. Silas Melson, a 6'4'' shooting guard who graduated from Gonzaga in 2018, has been making a significant impact in the Belgian Pro Basketball League while playing for Oostende. Despite his team being ranked second from the bottom in the league standings, Melson showcased his talent in a recent game against league leaders Okapi Aalst, helping Oostende secure a surprising 83-77 victory. In this game, the 29-year-old scored 18 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and provided 3 assists in just 26 minutes of play. This season marks Melson's first with Oostende, and he has been proving his worth with solid performances. With an average of 11.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game across four games, Melson has been a key player for his team. His standout performance against Aalst not only highlighted his scoring ability but also demonstrated his skill in creating opportunities for his teammates. Melson's journey to playing professional basketball in Belgium was aided by his participation in the Eurobasket Summer League, which played a crucial role in helping him secure a spot on Oostende's roster. As a champion at the college level and a finalist in the professional league, Melson continues to showcase his talent and contribute to his team's success on the court.
#6. Ben Gregg, a 6'10'' forward and 23-year-old Bulldogs alumnus from 2025, played a crucial role in helping his team clinch the WCC Tournament championship that year. Currently playing professionally in France, he recently showcased his talent in a dominating performance against the closely-ranked Chalon/Saor, where his team emerged victorious with a convincing 102-81 scoreline in the French Betclic ELITE league. In that game, Gregg notched 8 points, secured 10 rebounds, and provided 3 assists in 29 minutes of play. His stellar performance against Chalon/Saone highlights his versatility and impact on the court, proving instrumental in securing the win. Gregg's consistent contributions demonstrate his capabilities as a champion player. Throughout the current season, he has maintained solid averages of 7.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game across 28 appearances, further solidifying his status as a standout finalist in the league.
#7. Josh Perkins, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Gonzaga in 2019, is currently playing professionally in Mexico. In a recent game for Halcones de Ciudad Obregon, he played a vital role in their 87-83 victory over the closely-ranked Toros in the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico. Perkins, a key player for his team, showcased his skills by scoring 21 points, making 6 assists (including a perfect 8 for 8 at the free throw line), and contributing 3 rebounds in 36 minutes of play. His impressive performance against the Toros highlights his abilities on the court. With 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists, Perkins led his team to a crucial victory, displaying qualities of a champion. Throughout the season, Perkins has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 8.2 assists (the second-best in the league), and 1.2 steals per game over 40 games. His consistent contributions and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset to his team as they strive for success in the league.
#8. Experienced German player Elias Harris, a 6'8'' power forward and 36 years old, is an alumnus of the Bulldogs class of 2013. He recently received the All-WCC All-Tournament MVP award in that same year. Currently playing professionally in Germany, Harris made a significant impact in a recent game for FC Bayern Muenchen Basketball. In a dominating performance, he helped lead his team to a resounding 99-62 victory over the seventh-ranked Gladiators in the German easyCredit BBL match on Saturday night. Harris showcased his skills by contributing 5 points in just 5 minutes of play. Additionally, in another game against Trier, he scored 5 points and secured 2 rebounds, playing a crucial role in his team's success. These performances highlight his qualities as a champion player, demonstrating both his talent and determination on the court. Throughout this season, Harris has been averaging 4.8 points per game and 2.5 rebounds per game across four games, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled and impactful finalist player.
#9. Canadian Kyle Wiltjer, a 6'10'' forward/center who is 33 years old and a graduate of Gonzaga University in 2016, currently competes professionally in Italy. Recently, Wiltjer played for Umana Reyer Venezia but could not lead his team to victory against Tortona. Despite his efforts, including scoring 5 points and providing 1 assist in 21 minutes of play, Umana Reyer Venezia suffered a significant defeat, losing by 18 points with a final score of 89-71. Although the game did not end in his team's favor, Wiltjer's performance highlighted his skills and unwavering determination on the court. Throughout the season, Wiltjer has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game across 34 appearances. His consistent contributions demonstrate his value as a champion player in the league.
#10. Byron Wesley, a 6'5'' guard and 33-year-old Bulldogs alumnus from 2015, showcased his basketball prowess as he led Sagesse to a thrilling 89-87 victory against the seventh-ranked Homentmen in a Lebanese Decathlon Lebanese Basketball League game. In this derby match, Wesley's stellar performance included a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with 3 assists, all achieved during his 33 minutes on the court. Wesley's exceptional display of skills not only contributed significantly to his team's victory but also earned him the title of champion of the game. This victory added to his successful track record, having previously helped his team win the WCC Regular Season Champion title in 2015. Currently playing professionally in Lebanon, Wesley continues to impress with solid statistics this season, averaging 12.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game over two matches. His on-court performance and leadership qualities make him a standout finalist in every game he plays.
Other former Gonzaga University players, who play in pro basketball:
Killian Tillie (6'10''-F-1998, played in 2016-20) plays for Unicaja Malaga in Spanish Liga Endesa
Joel Ayayi (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2017-17) plays for Paris Basketball in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Filip Petrusev (6'11''-F/C-2000, played in 2018-20) plays for Dubai in UAE Adriatic League
Kevin Pangos (6'1''-PG-1993, played in 2011-15) plays for Erokspor in Turkish BSL
Domantas Sabonis (6'10''-PF-1996, played in 2014-16) plays for Sacramento Kings in the NBA
Jalen Suggs (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2020-21) plays for Orlando Magic in the NBA
Kelly Olynyk (7'0''-C-1991, played in 2009-11) plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
Andrew Nembhard (6'5''-G-2000, played in 2020-22) plays for Indiana Pacers in the NBA
Ryan Nembhard (6'0''-PG-2003, played in 2023-25) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Malachi Smith (6'4''-G-1999, played in 2023-23) plays for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA
Anton Watson (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2019-24) plays for Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA
Zach Collins (6'11''-PF-1997, played in 2016-17) plays for Chicago Bulls in the NBA
Brandon Clarke (6'8''-PF-1996, played in 2017-17) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Corey Kispert (6'6''-F-1999, played in 2017-21) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
Julian Strawther (6'7''-G-2002, played in 2023-24) plays for Denver Nuggets in the NBA
Rui Hachimura (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2016-19) plays for Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA
Alex Toohey (6'7''-F-2004) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Drew Timme (6'10''-C/F-2000, played in 2019-23) plays for Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA
Luka Krajnovic (6'4''-SG-2004, played in 2023-24) plays for Samobor in Croatian Premijer Liga
Rasir Bolton (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2021-23) plays for Napoli in Italian Serie A
David Stockton (5'11''-PG-1991, played in 2009-09) played for Piratas de Quebradillas in Puerto Rican BSN few monts ago
Johnathan Williams III (6'9''-C-1995, played in 2015-15) plays for Suwon KT Sonicboom in South Korean KBL
Ira Brown (6'4''-F-1982, played in 2007-09) plays for Kyoto Hannaryz in Japanese B1 League
Jeremy Jones (6'7''-F-1996, played in 2015-15) plays for Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in Japanese B1 League
Mathis Moenninghoff (6'7''-SF-1992, played in 2010-12) plays for BG Goettingen in German ProA
Ryan Woolridge (6'3''-G-1996, played in 2019-20) plays for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League
Jeremy Pargo (6'2''-PG-1986, played in 2005-09) plays for Grindavik in Icelandic Subway League
Admon Gilder (6'4''-G-1995, played in 2019-20) plays for Cordon in Uruguayan LUB
Micah Downs (6'8''-F-1986, played in 2005-09) played for Barreirense in Portuguese 1.Divisao last year
Martynas Arlauskas (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2019-22) plays for Galati in Romanian Liga Nationala
Matthew Lang (6'3''-G, played in 2018-22) played for East Perth Eagles in Australian NBL One last year
Nolan Hickman (6'2''-PG-2003, played in 2021-25) plays for Capital City Go-Go in the NBA G League
Austin Daye (6'10''-PF-1988, played in 2007-09) plays for New Taipei Kings in Taiwanese TPBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Gonzaga University basketball alumni.
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